The news comes after the Labour Party recently called on the Irish Government to establish a human donor milk bank in the Irish Republic.

In a report launched by the Labour party last week, the party also said that in the workplace mothers should have the right to take breaks to breastfeed or express for up to one year after the birth of their child, up from the current six months.

Employers should also ensure they provide appropriate areas for mothers, the party said.

"It is significant that the Labour Party is putting forward a plan to increase breastfeeding in Ireland. Unless the issue is put on the political agenda and raised in public discourse existing obstacles will remain," Labour Party member Loraine Mulligan said.